Here is a picture of Hibiscus sabdariffa similar to one posted by Pravin ji at: http://www.bullockcreeknursery.com.au/hibiscus-sabda.htm
Here are some interesting extracts from Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselle_(plant) The *Roselle* (*Hibiscus sabdariffa*) is a species of hibiscus<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus>native to the Old World <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_World> tropics. It is an annual or perennial herb <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb> or woody-based subshrub<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subshrub>, growing to 2–2.5 m tall. The leaves <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf> are deeply three- to five-lobed, 8–15 cm long, arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower> are 8–10 cm in diameter, white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, and have a stout fleshy calyx <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calyx_(flower)> at the base, 1.5–2 cm wide, enlarging to 3–3.5 cm, fleshy and bright red as the fruit <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit> matures. It is an annual plant, and takes about six months to mature. The plant is considered to have antihypertensive<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihypertensive>properties. Primarily, the plant is cultivated for the production for bast fibre <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bast_fibre> from the stem of the plant. The fibre may be used as a substitute for jute<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jute>in making burlap <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlap> [1]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselle_(plant)#cite_note-www_hort_purdue_edu1-0>. Hibiscus <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus>, specifically Roselle, has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, mild laxative<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laxative>, and treatment for cardiac and nerve diseases and cancer<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer>. [2] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselle_(plant)#cite_note-www_drugs_com-1> The red calyces <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepal> of the plant are increasingly exported <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Export> to America<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States>and Europe <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe>, where they are used as food colourings <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_colouring>. Germany<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany>is the main importer. It can also be found in markets (as flowers or syrup <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrup>) in some places such as France<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France>, where there are Senegalese immigrant communities. The green leaves<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf>are used like a spicy version of spinach <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinach>. They give flavour to the Senegalese fish and rice dish *thiéboudieune<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thi%C3%A9boudieune&action=edit&redlink=1> *. Proper records are not kept, but the Senegalese government estimates national production and consumption at 700 metric tons<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_ton>per year. Also in Myanmar <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar> their green leaves are the main ingredient in making chin baung kyaw curry. In East Africa, the calyx infusion, called "Sudan tea", is taken to relieve coughs. Roselle juice, with salt, pepper, asafetida and molasses, is taken as a remedy for biliousness <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biliousness>. The heated leaves are applied to cracks in the feet and on boils and ulcers to speed maturation. A lotion made from leaves is used on sores and wounds. The seeds are said to be diuretic and tonic in action and the brownish-yellow seed oil is claimed to heal sores on camels<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camels>. In India, a decoction of the seeds is given to relieve dysuria<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysuria>, strangury <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangury> and mild cases of dyspepsia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyspepsia>. Brazilians attribute stomachic, emollient and resolutive properties to the bitter roots.[3]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselle_(plant)#cite_note-2> On Sat, Sep 27, 2008 at 10:25 AM, Mahadeswara Swamy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > Looks like Hibiscus sabdariffa , a fibre yielding plant. Leaves are used > for chutney in Andhra (Gongura). > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Pravin Kawale <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: indiantreepix <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, 26 September, 2008 7:45:42 PM > Subject: [indiantreepix:5055] Ambadi > > Hi, > Flower of Ambadi ( local marathi name) > Thanks > > -- > Pravin > > > > ------------------------------ > Get an email ID as [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Click > here.<http://in.rd.yahoo.com/tagline_dbid_4/*http://in.promos.yahoo.com/address> > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. 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